We are expected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "We are expected" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing obligations, responsibilities, or anticipated behavior in a particular context. Example: "In this project, we are expected to meet all deadlines and maintain clear communication with our team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

We are expected to lose".

The New York Times - Sports

We are expected to hate ourselves.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We are expected to hear that and swallow it whole.

The New Yorker

We are expected to take so much on trust.

The Guardian - Books

We are expected to function well early in the morning.

The New Yorker

We are expected not to feel entitled to these things.

The Guardian

We are expected to be more self-sufficient".

The Guardian - Money

We are expected to do better every day.

The New Yorker

"We are expected to do more in less time and on a smaller budget.

The Guardian

"We are expected to play good Bundesliga football with Bundesliga 2 means".

The Guardian - Sport

We are expected to stand up and cheer as she does so.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "We are expected" to clearly communicate established responsibilities or anticipated outcomes within a team or organization. This clarifies roles and sets expectations.

Common error

Avoid using "We are expected" when you mean "We assume". "Expected" implies a prior agreement or instruction, while "assume" indicates a belief without concrete evidence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "We are expected" primarily functions as a declarative statement indicating an obligation or anticipated action. Ludwig examples show it expressing duties, responsibilities, and commonly held beliefs.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Formal & Business

25%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "We are expected" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express duties, obligations, or anticipated behaviors. It frequently appears in news and media, but can also be found in more formal business communications. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it’s important to use it when referring to actual agreements or instructions, differentiating it from mere assumptions. Alternatives include "we are supposed to" and "it is anticipated that we will", with the latter being more formal.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

We are supposed to

Uses a different verb to convey expectation or obligation.

We're anticipated to

Contracts "we are" to "we're" while retaining the passive construction

We are required to

Highlights a formal or mandatory expectation.

It is anticipated that we will

Replaces the personal pronoun and verb with a more formal passive construction.

The expectation is for us to

Shifts the focus to the expectation itself, using a more impersonal structure.

People expect us to

Specifies the source of the expectation, adding clarity.

It is our understanding that we should

Indicates an agreed-upon understanding of responsibilities.

We are under the impression that we must

Conveys a belief about a necessity or obligation.

We are obliged to

Emphasizes the sense of duty or legal requirement.

We should

Expresses a weaker sense of expectation or recommendation.

FAQs

How can I use "We are expected" in a sentence?

Use "We are expected" to describe a duty, obligation, or anticipated action. For example, "We are expected to deliver the report by Friday".

What is a more formal alternative to "We are expected"?

A more formal alternative is "It is anticipated that we will". This construction is often preferred in professional or academic writing.

Is there a difference between "We are expected to" and "We are supposed to"?

While similar, "We are supposed to" can sometimes imply a weaker obligation or a more informal expectation compared to "We are expected to".

When should I use "People expect us to" instead of "We are expected"?

Use "People expect us to" when you want to explicitly state who holds the expectation. This makes the source of the expectation clear.